IN LIEU of threats over the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), Atok town in Benguet has temporarily suspended all tourism activities.
Atok Mayor Raymundo Sarac announced that tourism related activities in the town will be suspended temporarily starting Thursday, February 6, in lieu of the threat of 2019-nCoV.
“To our valued tourists, due to the threat of 2019 novel coronavirus to public safety, all tourism activities in the municipality of Atok are temporary suspended from February 6, 2020 until further notice for the promotion of health and safety,” added the public advisory.
Earlier, through an executive order, the mayor also urged constituents to take precautionary measures in relation to the 2019-nCoV.
Atok is known for its cold weather and home of the second highest point of Philippine Highway system along Halsema highway, its Sakura trees or cherry blossoms park, northern blossom flower farm, PJ Haight farms and coffee.
Meanwhile, the Provincial Government together with municipal mayors, municipal disaster risk reduction officers, municipal health officers, DRRM council members, Benguet General Hospital, and Department of Health in Cordillera held an emergency meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Benguet governor and doctor Melchor Diclas said it is up to the chief executives of the 13 towns in the province to decide on the suspension of tourism related activities and events within their area of jurisdiction.
“In La Trinidad, we have the strawberry festival, a crowd drawing activity celebrated in March and it is up to the mayor to decide depending on the situation of the 2019-nCoV,” he added.
On Thursday, activities in line with the annual cultural fiesta of barangay Poblacion in La Trinidad set February 21-22 were also cancelled due to nCoV threat.
During the emergency meeting, DOH – Cordillera headed by regional director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan said the agency is on top of the situation.
To help mitigate spread of respiratory infections, the health department reiterated for all to strengthen individual immune system, practice cough etiquette, avoid contact with sick person, cook and wash food thoroughly and practice proper hygiene through proper hand washing.
“DOH is top of the situation, we should not panic. The municipal, provincial government and line agencies are in unison to contain the virus. As of the moment, there are no patient in the province positive of 2019-nCoV. There is only one patient from the province that is considered person under investigation (PUI),” Diclas added.
The PUI from La Trinidad, Benguet earlier sought for consultation and was admitted at Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center. Tests were gathered from the patient and DOH is waiting for the laboratory results from the Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine.
Diclas also made a call to those who traveled to Macau, China and Hong Kong to immediately seek medical help.
“If they are not experiencing symptoms of the virus, the individual can stay at home and do self - isolation for 14 days while if he experience symptoms, they have to go to the hospital for monitoring purposes and undergo several tests,” added Diclas.
A task force was also formed in the province providing every member and their specific roles and functions in lieu of the 2019-nCoV.